I dreamed a dream
A while ago, as a morale-boosting team activity to pep up everyone doing a personal challenge, I asked for your top ‘things you had never done’ and promised to try and ‘fix it’ for a winner or winners to do these things – not on my own but using the sort of mass collaboration which has been the trademark of this blog’s readers. A large number of entrants proved that they, like Susan Boyle, had dreamed a dream, though none of them involved having a fairly bad life alone with a cat and then suddenly becoming world-famous and appearing regularly on TV with a strange, ominous expression.
The ‘I have nevers’ were both too numerous and too varied for a winner to be singled out, so I’ve decided to make this an ongoing feature. Every now and again I will choose two or three winners and we will make it our collective business to help them achieve their goals.
There were quite a few people who said they’d never been on a date, which raises the possibility of perhaps match-making two or more or them in a future blog. There were also a couple who expressed a wish to go to the Edinburgh Fringe; again, a little further down the line perhaps we can arrange for these people to join forces. But for now, we’ll concentrate on these wishes:
Rachel To go on a narrowboat, as a taster for eventually owning such a boat.
Ben To attend a film premiere.
Meg To meet a politician.
I’ve chosen these because they are all wishes with interesting back stories (which you can read on the original blog) but also because they fit the criteria of neither being too easy nor too hard. And they feel like the sort of things we might be able to achieve as a group somehow, but there’s no clear way of guessing how at this stage. So these challenges should provide the maximum possible fun.
I’ll get working on them, but if you reckon you can help in however indirect a way with any of these, leave a Comment and we’ll see what we can do. When we have accomplished these three missions, we’ll move on to three more. You are watching Mark Might Fix It.
And lastly, on the subject of contests – if you are one of the ten people who won a copy of my novel, email francesca.main@simonandschuster.co.uk with ‘Give me a bloody book!’ as the subject line. She – my excellent editor and co-judge in one of this blog’s fiercest ever competitions – will then arrange for you to receive your copy of the novel with a tiny little message from me. You might get an ‘out of office’ message at first, because she’s in Croatia this week. But then you will get a book. And I should hope you’ll feel pretty pleased with yourselves. And if you end up liking the book and want to write about it on things like Amazon, so much the better. If you dislike it, I guess we’ll pretend this competition never happened.
Tomorrow I’ll reveal which of my personal facts (on Friday’s blog) were filthy lies. Last chance to guess. I’ll probably give someone a prize for the closest. I basically love giving out prizes and hosting competitions. I should have been Dale Winton or someone. But I guess he already is.
Posted by Knox on May 16, 2011
You wouldn’t want to be Dale Winton – think of that tan – that would be you: always! And you’d have inflicted ‘Supermarket Sweep’ (the song) on the world… Scary how easily the lyrics come back (‘next time you’re at the checkout, and you hear that beep’… Noooooooo)
Posted by Meg on May 9, 2010
First of all, apologies for this dreadfully late comment. I am thrilled that my wish has been chosen! Thank you so much Mark! Also, thanks everyone for the wonderful suggestions! I think this will probably be easier to sort out once the current political situation has been sorted out. I especially like the idea of meeting an MP from the House of Commons. I will have a think about it. Thanks again!
Posted by Kate W on May 9, 2010
Ludicrously late commenting on this, but thoughts for what they’re worth:
Meg’s wish – I think if you write to your local MP and ask to meet them, they’ll usually say yes. All MPs have an office in their constituency, but you could also ask to meet them at the House of Commons and see a session from the public gallery, which might be more fun.
Ben’s wish – Al’s suggestion of Toy Story III sounds great, or the BFI London Film Festival is on 13-28 Oct and will have lots of premieres, most of which you can buy tickets for if you’re fast enough (even without being a BFI member). Although if anyone knows anyone who is a BFI member and might be persuaded to use their priority booking, that might be helpful.
Rachel’s wish – sounds like it’s fairly under control!
Posted by Rachel Winter on May 8, 2010
and it seems narrowboats are more common than I thought – going by all the comments!
Posted by Rachel Winter on May 8, 2010
Squeal!! I’m speechless.
Thanks Mark – even if it never comes off, can’t believe I’m even a teeny step closer to this.
Am v happy right now.
Posted by Aislinn on May 7, 2010
My Nan and Grandad have a narrowboat! Or a canal boat. But they’re sort of the same thing, aren’t they? Anyway, an arrangement could possibly be made if that helps? Although this is a bit of a late comment; also, I don’t know where their boat is stored/parked, location-wise. But I could FIND OUT!
Sorry, getting a bit excited at the prospect of helping out.
Posted by Beth (@Doomed1) on May 6, 2010
Sorry this is a bit late,
If Rach is anywhere near Bristol, I have a very nice friend with a narrorboat who im sure would be willing to help out?!
B x
Posted by Ben Draper on May 5, 2010
Oh cheers Mark, I was terribly disappointed not to get a book. I didn’t deserve one though, my entry was a rubbish last minute effort because i couldn’t think of anything and ended up just listing 11 phrases. No good to anyone.
This makes up for it though. A lot. I hope we pull it off. Some good ideas so far. Toy Story is appealing and I’ve been looking at the BFI but I can’t really afford to pay £40 for the membership only to get entered into the occasional ballot if you know what I mean.
Posted by Heather on May 5, 2010
I’m glad to hear you love hosting all of the competitions and things, because I certainly love reading about / joining in with them!
But weren’t there supposed to be 11 book winners? I’ll have to hunt down that entry…
Posted by Al Kennedy on May 5, 2010
The international premiere of Toy Story 3 is happening in Edinburgh during the Film Festival – http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/news/2010/04/toy-story-3-to-eiff-and-beyond – it’s a red carpet charity gala rather than a closed shop so the tickets will be going on sale when the box office opens for the EIFF. There’s therefore every possibility that we could get Ben a ticket to that.
Posted by SirChrisOfBumpstead on May 5, 2010
Hi all,
First post on Marks blog ever despite enjoying reading regularly.
Advice for Ben- It depends on how big a film you want to see the premier of. Obviously the latest A list blockbuster will be quite tricky to attend, likewise most of the more independent films, but have a look into more local/art-house film festivals coming up over the summer (I think Raindance in London may do that sort of thing). There will be numerous new films there. Ok, there won’t be any big names at the moment, but given that all film makers have to start somewhere, it may be that in a few years time you can say “Hey I saw that guys first film years back- I was at the premier!”
And let’s face it most A list films are shocking compared to independently made ones (some of my favourite films that have appeared in multiplexes have been independent, like Kick-Ass and Slumdog and could easily have ended up at such places).
Other than that you’ve just got to know people who know people I think, that’s what I’ve found anyway.
Also, noticed a bit about the Fringe (already got my tickets Mark…), maybe we should sort out some sort of TYSIC event thing there seeing as most people will be there I would have thought. Also I need to think of a challenge because I’m still struggling; I’m not perfect just terrible at self assessment. Ideas in here please. Maybe to write less in comment boxes and do more exam revision. But I am on board with it just with nothing to contribute currently.
Now going to take Marks advice from yesterday and go back to work.
Chris x
Posted by amycool on May 5, 2010
On the “Mark’ll Fix It” front, mine has already been fixed! Or at least planned. A fellow TYSICer very kindly offered to take the risk of spending the best part of a day with me climbing up 20m platforms and going down 159m zip wires. It’s planned for July, weather permitting, as Buxton is notoriously cold and wet. So thank you!
As for narrowboats, film premieres and politicians, I’ve actually done 2/3s of those, which is nice. One way to meet a politician is to win an achievement award at school and hope that the prize-giver will be Andrew Stunnell. Although if you want to meet Andrew Stunnell, he has his own glass-fronted office now and you can just walk in and say hello. We have regular meet your local politician mornings at the library too, but no big names. In my limited experience of narrow boats, the people that live on them tend to be quite friendly. I wouldn’t be surprised if they just let you take a look without even knowing you. Probably not the safest bet though. Film premieres are not something I know anything about.
My favourite narrowboat owner is Joshua Jones. He can live wherever he goes.
Posted by Natalie-Helen on May 5, 2010
Oh Mr Watson you’re spoiling us! Try not to give away so much you end up without any products, money, home, wife and child!
You make me smile every day with the funniness and loveliness of this blog. I like you all the more for your generosity to us readers and commitment to your crazily big ideas!
Really need these little pick-me-ups at the moment as stuff is happening that is not much fun (not to be too evasive or anything!) so thankyou!
^_^
x
Posted by Misha on May 5, 2010
Sitting in Rugby station waiting for a replacement coach this has really made me smile. Now to go back to scowling at the door (wedged open). Interesting i’ve actually managed all three of these dreams quite by chancel
Posted by Emmy on May 5, 2010
Congrats to all the winners! I can’t really think of a way to help the goals be achieved, but if I do, I’ll comment them. I hope you’ll all keep us posted on how it goes!
Also Mark, please, by all that is good in this world, do not become a Dale Winton. You are smart and witty and quite good looking, so do not let yourself degrade into a processed orange cheese food. I know that you won’t, but there was a moment of panic there.
Posted by Matthew on May 4, 2010
Meg’s Issue – If she writes to her MP post election, they’ll probably meet her if she explains why. (She may not want to meet them though)
Posted by Rachael on May 4, 2010
Rachel, Im pretty sure that I read somewhere that there is a weekend in Cambridge every year for boating people where people have a kind of open house thing on their boats and you can just go and have a look. I’m not sure when it is but if they have one in Cambridge then maybe they have them elsewhere too.
Posted by Phill Sacre on May 4, 2010
There were a number of hustings going on recently which would have been a perfect time to meet a politician. I’m afraid it might be a bit too late for that at this stage though, you may still find some on http://hustings.com/
Posted by Marie on May 4, 2010
Ben: If you’re not a member of the BFI, have a look at their site – it might be worth considering joining! I got tickets to a television premiere through them last year, which included a Q&A with the cast and producer afterwards.
Posted by Megan on May 4, 2010
The first time i met a politician was when my class went on a school field trip in grade 4. We met our alderman. I thought he was creepy.
The only other ways I’ve met politicians is through volunteering on campaigns (Ed Broadbent was a highlight) and working in a movie theatre that is down the road from Parliament and holds special screenings of ‘important’ movies. (Though, the only time I’ve sold a ticket to the PM was when he came to see Across the Universe with his son…a mystery). Have you been to your constituency office or equivalent? Or are local politicians not exciting enough?
As for film premieres, film festivals are the way to go. There are tons of smaller ones that attract big-ish stars and are easier to get into than Cannes or TIFF.
Posted by Marie on May 4, 2010
Is there a specific type of politician that Meg wants to meet? I’d imagine that would be the easiest to organise. Most of the local ones (after the election) would probably be happy to arrange a short meeting if you got in contact with them and asked.
Posted by MusicalLottie on May 4, 2010
I’m not convinced that ‘Supermarket Sweep’ is quite your style! Please don’t attempt to be Dale Winton, we’re quite content with you as, well, yourself
Posted by Anji on May 4, 2010
How come the day feels right once I have read your blog? I fear it’s unhealthy and that few outside ofthe blog would understand.
After what feels like the longest day in, well a while, I have had my 5 minutes of out time reading this and can now eat feeling a little relaxed.
It must be a feel good blog.
I’d almost quite like to see a tangoed Mark, but much agree you don’t need to be a Dale, your just right as a Mark. We’ll keep you that way please.
Posted by Dawn on May 4, 2010
Hi Mark,
I’ve just e-mailed Francesca with my address so I can receive your lovely new book “Eleven”.
I will now be excited every day looking out for the Postman:)
You have made me very happy!
Thankyou and Lots of Love (in a Motherly way),
Dawn xxx
Posted by fuzzy_ducky (Laura) on May 4, 2010
Wow, I came home after a really S***ty day at school and I have this waiting for me. Calmed me down a helluva lot. Cheers Mark.
Posted by Maddie on May 4, 2010
You are a very good host indeed, but please, don’t aspire to be Dale Winton, I prefer your way and I don’t think you would pull off the ‘tango-ed look’. Although, that could be fun..